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Milwaukee extends Marcum’s rehab stint

MILWAUKEE — Shaun Marcum’s return — a long-awaited moment for the Milwaukee Brewers rotation — will be pushed back again, according to Brewers manager Ron Roenicke.

Marcum threw a bullpen session on Friday that didn’t necessarily go poorly, Roenicke said, but when talking about the return with Marcum and pitching coach Rick Kranitz, they decided that it would be a better plan to allow him another rehab start on Monday with Class-A Wisconsin to round into form.

“We talked about it and felt it was better for him to do that other start,” Roenicke said. “Really when you think about it, Shaun wants to be back here pitching, but he was out for a long time. And to only give him two rehab starts, probably not the best way to do it. I think after talking with Shaun, he realized it’s probably better to go for a little bit more.”

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Originally expected to just miss a start or two when he was scratched from the lineup with elbow tightness, Marcum hasn’t been on the mound since June 14 in a Brewers uniform. Prior to his injury, Marcum was 5-3 with a 3. ERA.

Marcum has already started two games with the Timber Rattlers in Appleton, but didn’t record a decision in either game. In 6.2 innings of action in his first two rehab starts, Marcum allowed three runs and struck out seven batters.

Roenicke said after Friday’s win over the Phillies that the rotation will remain in the same order until Marcum returns.

“We’ll just go along with our rotation, and they’ll stay in line,” Roenicke said. ‘Hopefully he can get up close to 75 pitches, and he’ll be ready to go with us.”